Jay Clark ranks the AFL’s 50 best players in 2025
In the first part of Jay Clark’s Top 50 AFL players, some of the game’s best slide, including the most patient man in footy. Who’s in, who’s out and who can consider themselves stiff?
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Once again, Zach Merrett is playing the long game.
Not only is the Essendon midfielder one of the AFL’s best midfielders, he is also one of football’s most patient and understanding men.
In the Herald Sun’s first mid-year top 50, Merrett comes in at No.26.
He started the season in a blaze of glory as one of the best two-way and defensively-minded playmakers in the league.
But a step out of the midfield to a back flank has seen Merrett’s ranking tumble as the Bombers look to other young ballwinners to grow in the engine room.
If it is frustrating for Merrett, the 29-year-old doesn’t show it.
The top 50 celebrates the best players in the game for 2025, and continues a tradition since legendary chief football writer Mike Sheahan named Geelong champion Gary Ablett at No.1 in 1993.
Fremantle’s big man Luke Jackson is the bolter in the back half of the rankings amid his incredible purple patch, while veterans Tom Liberatore, Dayne Zorko and Jamie Elliott have been recognised for their stellar form.
The trio are in the hunt for an All-Australian guernsey and Liberatore’s first of his brilliant career.
He is one of five Western Bulldogs players who made the top-50 including Sam Darcy, Marcus Bontempelli and Ed Richards, whose rankings will be revealed in Monday’s Herald Sun.
Carlton superstar forward Charlie Curnow and inspirational captain Patrick Cripps – who was named No.1 at the end of his record-breaking Brownlow Medal campaign last season – dropped out of the top 50.
But St Kilda’s big-money target Tom De Koning hung on to the 38th spot despite his softening form.
De Koning is expected to accept a $1.7 million-a-year deal from the Saints in one of the most lucrative deals in the game’s history.
Certainly, there have been some big strides from the Blues tall and Melbourne captain Max Gawn said pre-season De Koning would be the player of the generation.
But in the ruck stakes, Jackson has nudged ahead of De Koning in 2025.
In a tough year for key defenders, Greater Western Sydney’s Sam Taylor, Brisbane Lions backman Harris Andrews and St Kilda’s Callum Wilkie all made it as the only stoppers in the top 50. Carlton’s Jacob Weitering and Collingwood’s Darcy Moore missed out.
And the X-factor of Collingwood’s Elliott, Docker Shai Bolton and North Melbourne’s Paul Curtis all secured them spots in the elite bracket.
Originally published as Jay Clark ranks the AFL’s 50 best players in 2025
‘Big wild swing’: Lynch throws haymaker as frustration boils over
Tom Lynch and the Tigers’ frustration is growing at the MCG, with the spearhead swinging a wild fist at Jordan Butts as the Crows race away to a big half-time lead.
Cornes: I’m happy to have Tredders as a mate
The wolves are coming for Port legend Warren Tredrea after his controversial court case and podcast episode. But Graham Cornes is happy to be his mate. Here’s why.